about 1.5 weeks ago I felt a dull sharp pain under my right nipple... that moved to my sternum (chest tightness) for a few days... that feeling is gone.

then, a few days ago, my lymph nodes gained alot of pressure just suddenly under my chin. The next day it moved to the area in front of my ears (felt like my head was being squeezed). That went away after a couple o days.

Now, i feel a little weak and my wrists and inner thighs feel slight weak pains and sometimes the sides of my elbows. I also feel a lump under my left jaw which isn't really present on the other side of my jaw.

I am losing appetite but not really weight (slight loss). Should i be concerned. I only have short term insurance till the end of the month and am in the underwriting process for full term insurance. I was wondering if i should wait until i hopefully get approved?

Given the fact that you are complaining of other symptoms as well and that I am unable to assess the severity of these symptoms I must urge you to seek direct clinical assessment.

Regarding your question about lymphoma and the duration of disease progression: it differs significantly depending on the type of lymphoma. Follicular lymphomas for example can take years to progress. Aggressive lymphomas and leukemias can progress in weeks.

As to the likelihood that you do have a lymphoma it seems unlikely from your description that the submandibular enlargment is due to lymphoma. The question that you need to find out is why they are enlarged and this requires a direct clinical examination.